Rivers provides hand sanitisers as schools reopen

Rivers Governor, Chibuike Amaechi
Rivers Governor, Chibuike Amaechi
Rivers Governor, Chibuike Amaechi

The Ministry of Health in Rivers on Wednesday provided hand sanitisers and infra ray thermometer to schools as they resumed from their long vacation.

Mrs Helen Okwu, the Head Mistress of St. Andrew State School, Port Harcourt made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt.

Okwu said that the ministry of health gave schools the materials to help in preventing the spread of Ebola virus in the state.

“The state ministry of health instructed us not to allow any child in school until we receive materials for the prevention of the spread of the disease.

“I went to ministry of health where headmistress and principals were called to collect the materials and we have resumed today because we have been given the materials.

“We have informed our teachers and students on measures to take during school hours,” she said.

Mrs Rose Osadebe, the Principal of Girls Government Secondary School, Orominike said the school was yet to receive the materials from the ministry of health.

“We have not received any material for the check and prevention of Ebola; we believe that the state ministry of health will get to our school for the materials.

“There are many schools to reach in the state. From now till Friday, we believe we will get the materials, but we have informed our students on what to do while at school and at home for the prevention,” Osadebe said.

Miss Ihunwo Blessing, a student at the school said she was happy to resume school and called on state government to come to their aid and build toilets for better sanitation.

NAN reports that private schools also reopened for classes on Oct. 8.

At the Nobles Group of Schools, pupils and students were made to wash their hands before entering their classrooms.

Mr Bright Orluwosu, the proprietor of the school, said that hand sanitisers and water were kept at the school entrance for students, teachers and parents.

“We have provided water, soap and hand sanitisers at the entrance of the primary school section and that of the secondary school.

“As students and pupils come to school, they wash their hands and apply hand sanitisers to ensure that the Ebola Virus Disease is prevented.

“We also have some nurses on standby to attend to any student with high temperature and advise on measures to be taken,’’ he said.